Final Resting Place

Obituary of Helen Bolnick

It is with great sorrow that we announce the peaceful passing of Helen M. Bolnick. Helen passed away at the age of 92, at Inspira Medical Center on October 5, 2018. She was surrounded by her family and close friends.

Helen was predeceased by her beloved husband, Simon Bolnick; her parents, Samuel and Rose Blechman. Left to cherish her memory, she is survived by Sol Berman; her three sons, Dr. Harold Bolnick, his wife Debra from Gilmer Texas, and their daughters Cameron Donnell and her husband Josh, and Caitlin Bolnick; Dr. Alan Bolnick, his wife Cassie and their children Makayla and Brayden: and Dr. Jay Bolnick of .

Helen was born in Hackensack NJ on March 3, 1926 to Rose and Samuel Blechman. She graduated from Hackensack High School in 1944 and married Simon Bolnick on June 18, 1950. Helen moved to Elmer where she and Simon raised their three sons, Harold, Alan and Jay. A common sight was to see the close-knit family walking to the Synagogue on Saturdays. Simon passed on June 6, 1994 after a long illness.

Simon and Helen helped to refurbish the Crown of Israel Synagogue, built in 1915 on a half-acre of farmland in Monroeville NJ. The Synagogue, once the nucleus for the Jewish settlers escaping Czarist persecution, was founded by Simon's relatives. Helen continues to care for the Synagogue and it's Congregation, hosting High Holiday Meals at her house for decades.

She taught at Glassboro High School from 1949 to 1952, and after a short hiatus, from 1956 to 1960. She also taught at Oakcrest High School from 1960 to 1968. Helen went on to earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) from Trenton State College in 1967. She earned her Masters of Science (MS) from Temple University in 1967, eventually earning her Doctorate in Education (EdD) from Nova University in 1977.

Helen had a passion for archery, founding the Atlantic City Archery Classic in 1977; a competition established to generate more interest in the sport on a regional level and ran that organization for more than 25 years with more than 750 archers competing.

She served as state representative of the US Archery College Division sponsored by the National Archery Association for many years; Program Director for the National Archery Association; on the Executive Board of the Eastern Regional Intercollegiate Archery Association; and chaired the Archery All-American Committee; founder of the Archery Program at ACCC producing 39 All-American Archers and winning countless championships regionally, nationally and internationally under her guidance; 4 time Coach of the Year by USA Archery; Director of Intercollegiate Archery Championships in 1984, 1998, 2008; US Olympic Committee Coach of the Year in 2008; was involved in Olympic Competitions in Los Angeles in 1984 and in Atlanta in 1996; Coach of the 1999 All-American Archery Camp; was named US Olympic Committee Development Coach of the Year in 2000.

US Collegiate Archery Magazine says of Helen upon her retirement: "Dr. Bolnick, beloved by everyone in the college archery program leaves behind a legacy that will be hard to match any time soon… Helen's commitment to archery is displayed by the many tournaments she has hosted over the years…. Replacing Helen will be difficult - it's hard to imagine not seeing our 82-year-old icon at our tournaments."

Helen was added to the Oakcrest High School's Wall of Fame in 2008 upon her retirement from teaching. While at Atlantic Cape Community College she worked as a PE Instructor, Professor of Physical Education, Counselor, and Director of Athletics, she retiried in 2008.

A graveside service and burial were held on Sunday at Alliance Cemetery, 970 Gershal Ave, Norma.

ARRANGEMENTS are under the supervision of Rone Funeral Service, 1110 East Chestnut Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08360